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‘I don’t want to be part of a dictatorship’: the Americans queueing up to renounce their citizenship
(www.theguardian.com)
this post was submitted on 29 Apr 2026
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Renounce their citizenship? What about fight for their country? The land of the free and home of the (not so often) brave.
Never shame anyone who is fleeing violence.
That is precisely what they intend to do and it's not the first time I've seen it from them
We don't judge what people do vs how brave we feel they should be -- walk a mile and all that. The ~~Queen~~ King has my name on-file, no fortunate son, but I'll definitely not relish the day when his GG's rep comes knocking to reactivate me.
... You seem to not realize I'm standing against judging these people?
When we fix it, they don't get to come back.
sounds like you're part of the problem.
I know many privileged people are fleeing. but so do people in genuine danger, trans, bipoc... They aren't here to be your personal shield. If the country is so fucked up an ally would help them, keep them safe, help them flee, and welcome them back after.
Otherwise you just see those minorities as human shields, as hate padding so the problems won't reach you. You are the reason they have to flee.
If they were MY ally they'd stay and fight. They aren't. They never have been.
If you leave, you have left and are not welcome back. I'll be no ally to anyone who won't turn and fight alongside me. Those fleeing intend to use me as a meat shield.
Those fleeing intend not to be your human shield.
If there are vulnerable people at risk of violence, and you're privileged enough not to be in danger, then you should be that human shield. Otherwise you aren't an ally, and then expect those most at risk to risk themselves further to protect you.
Let's be clear here: We're talking about fighting fascism. Nobody is privileged enough to not be in danger under fascism. Nobody. Not the conscientious objectors, not the "but I voted for you"s, not the dictators inner circle, not school girls in another hemisphere.
I don't have time to bicker about who is farther up their "others to exterminate" list. This ain't the oppression olympics, it's World War 3. To everyone but LGBTQ, allyhood is mutual.
You seem to expect and even demand that affected minorities stay and protect your comfort.
This country failed them, they fear for their safety and even lives. and you're upset they aren't staying to fix it?
It isn't a "oppression Olympics" it is people fleeing for their safety. And maybe when we fix things, they could return.
No. No they could not return. I will fight them. The United States of America is the home of the brave. Cowards are not welcome here. If you're not willing to fight for America, why would I ever let you return? What use do I have for such fair weather friends? To those who flee: Good riddance to bad rubbish.
From this conversation, you are the rubbish that makes people flee for their safety.
Minorities fearing for their safety aren't your pawns. you're a bigot, the racists kind. the kind that says to refugees fleeing for their lives to go back to where they come from, while ignoring it is thanks to voters like you that they have to flee.
When foreigners apply to become naturalized as American citizens, they are required to take the following oath:
We have a domestic enemy from whom to defend the constitution. Anyone who refuses that fight, instead renouncing their citizenship and fleeing, proves for all time they are unworthy to take this oath, and thus unworthy of citizenship.
Those who leave shall not be permitted to return.
That oath means ziltch, as they are made to do so under duress. "SAY THIS WE WILL WITHHOLD RIGHTS AND BENEFITS FROM YOU AND RISK REMOVING YOU FROM YOUR HOME AND COMMUNITY". So it does not count as an "oath", and everyone else in this country has not made it anyways.
This state has betrayed the people who need to flee. Why the fuck do they owe that state? A state that objectively treated them like shit. Did it provide healthcare? a good education? Justice? and now it actively tries to hurt them?
They do not owe us shit. especially you. I wish they were safe here, but because that wish has been denied already, I wish their escape is as safe and easy as possible. And then I wish things get better so they could return to their communities.
They don't. Our duty is not to the state; our duty is to the Constitution. To support and defend The Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic." Really chew on that sentence, savor the flavor, especially those last two words. That's a flavor that comes in boxes. ~~ Four~~ five boxes. You don't seem to understand that. Probably because you're not actually American.
You don't want to be an American citizen? You may leave. Renouncing your citizenship, you fill out the paperwork that says "I am no longer a citizen of the United States" you're done. You aren't coming back. We won't re-naturalize you. You have to apply to take that oath. Your application will be denied.
are you?
Are you fighting to protect them? are you putting yourself where your mouth is?
if people are fleeing for their safety, we are in that fascism, it is a tyrannical government, are you fighting to protect the constitution? or are you only being a bigot to people who value life over your personal emotions.
I seem to be doing a hell of a lot more than you.
Go on?
Tell me?
Mutual aids? organise? set up ICE watch? rapid response training? street medic training? Sabotage Flock cameras? Offered your house to your at risk neighbors if ICE goes door to door? Food delivery to migrants who are afraid to leave their house? Canvassed for progressive candidates?
Or you think being racist online is enough for your American sense of duty?
I haven't condemned myself to helplessness out of some entitled sense of designated victimhood. You can start there.
Great, you admitting not doing fuck all, the government is tyrannical and going after your neighbors, you let that happen, then when they flee for their lives your upset they did stay back and protect you?
If they can stay and fight, they would be fighting you.
I try not to shame anyone but I do honour those who take a stand, even in the face of fear. As far as fleeing violence, I don't think we've gotten there yet. It's about fleeing ideology. More like not liking the new HOA president, so moving out of the neighbourhood.
Don't mind state masked gangs disappearing and shooting people in the streets. The state violence that makes people flee is already here.
I've heard some bad USA HOA stories. I fully support this.
Very important, but are you fighting that fascism? what tf are you doing?
They are fleeing, not only because the state betrayed them, but because you do so too. You are a hypocrite, expecting everyone else to fight for freedom while you demostrably arent doing it. Dont want them to flee for their safety why arent you fighting then?
You just know that once they are gone, you will be the next target, and no one will protect your ass, because your ass actually deserves it.
This is all my fault? And I'm a victim? Interesting take. You shouldn't type in anger. Slow down and take a think or two.
So, when it isn't affecting you, you don't need to fight the tyrannical government?
yes, it is your fault, given your own standards. As per your standards, you should be in the streets fighting. but you admitted you're not.
Sorry I wasn't able to help you. I failed, I guess. Is there a close relative you could reach out to?